Pikachu's Vacation (Japanese: ピカチュウのなつやすみPikachu's Summer Vacation) is the first Pikachu short. It debuted in Japanese theaters on July 18, 1998, and then made its way to North American theaters on November 10, 1999.

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Synopsis

This is the first of several Pikachu-focused mini-episodes that accompany several of the feature films. During changing of scenes, various Pokémon clips appear. This also introduced then-new Pokémon Snubbull and Marill. Ash's Pokédex narrates the short. Ash, Misty and Brock release their Pokémon to spend the day at a theme park for Pokémon. With Pikachu and Togepi leading, all of the Pokémon dance their way to the theme park.

However, upon arriving, all of them stampede off to look for fun, except Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Squirtle and Psyduck who have to look after Togepi when it gets hungry and bursts into tears. Squirtle and Pikachu attempt to make Togepi happy by making faces at it, but Squirtle's scary face makes it even worse. Upset, Squirtle walks off but then spies an apple on a tree. Bulbasaur gets it down using Razor Leaf but it rolls over to Psyduck who eats it and wanders off, Togepi bursting into tears again. Bulbasaur, however, uses his Vine Whip and rocks Togepi to sleep by singing a lullaby (which Dexter names the Bulbaby).

Togepi has fallen asleep, but is awakened by a quartet of loud Pokémon: Raichu, Snubbull, Marill and Cubone. Pikachu approaches and asks them to be quieter, but instead, the four get aggressive. Togepi wanders off onto a log which starts rolling down a river, Pikachu crazily trying to stay on, but eventually falls into the river and watches the log roll off and hit a nearby swimming pool. Thankfully, Togepi gets off the log safely. Pikachu retrieves Togepi, but finds Bulbasaur, Squirtle and the bullying Pokémon squaring off against each other.

Squirtle and Marill challenge each other to a race across a crowded swimming pool. Pikachu starts off the race with the help of Electrode who rolls and explodes. Squirtle and Marill race across the pool, Marill being blown across the pool by an angry Starmie and Squirtle ends up getting caught on the back of a Goldeen. Squirtle escapes and speeds across the pool, but discovers Marill has already won.

Pikachu and Raichu's unstoppable race

The two groups continue to square off, Pikachu not wanting any more competition. Raichu's sparks out lightning bolts which scare Togepi. Pikachu hugs it, only for the two to get electrocuted by Raichu. Pikachu finally snaps and gets mad. Pikachu and Raichu attempt to overpower each other with their sparking cheeks, and instead speed off across the park, causing mayhem. Meowth, Arbok and Weezing are trying to sleep but are continuously disrupted by Pikachu and Raichu. The battle concludes with the two stepping on the tail of Charizard, who chases them, but the two are going so fast that they outrun it. Eventually, the two are crushed by a Snorlax. The others rush to help but all watch Charizard hurtle out of control and gets its head stuck in a climbing frame.

Pikachu and all of its gathered friends attach a rope to Charizard's foot and try to pull it out, but Charizard's frantic panicking causes them all to fly backwards. Charizard begins to cry so Pikachu manages to enlist the help of the bullying Pokémon who apologize for their previous actions - all except Cubone, who follows its nature of only caring for itself. However, Cubone eventually helps. Charizard is eventually pulled out, but it sends all the Pokémon flying through the air. Charizard flies off, taking Psyduck with it. Meowth, who has been disrupted from his sleep multiple times, brings out a bomb to stop all the noise, but Charizard lands on him and Meowth is blown up underneath Charizard.

In the end, all the Pokémon help rebuild the destroyed climbing frame and spend the rest of the day having fun. As the sun sets, all the Pokémon hear their Trainers calling and all leave. Before Pikachu leaves, he shakes hands with Snubbull, the five becoming friends. Pikachu hops off as its new friends wave farewell. The short ends with Pikachu leaping into Ash's arms for an exchanged hug.